Glacier Retreat in Kashmir Himalaya: Study Shows Rapid Ice Loss and Landscape Shift

A long term study by the University of Kashmir reveals a significant transformation of the upper Himalaya. Between 1980 and 2018, researchers documented the disappearance of 30 square kilometers of glacier area, with some glaciers vanishing completely and others fragmenting into unstable ice bodies. The research highlights a shift from snow dominated landscapes to rock dominated ones, accelerated by rising temperatures and black carbon deposits. This change is altering local hydrology, initially increasing meltwater flow but leading to a long term decline in natural water storage.